Wellbeing-guide

Getty Images

It’s normal to feel soreness after a workout, standing for hours, or any other strenuous physical activity. Dealing with it, though, is a totally different story; in fact, the discomfort can feel so unbearable that it interferes with your daily activities. While it can last for days, pain relief creams can immediately ease your aches. Sombra’s Cool Pain Relief Cream, for instance, relieves muscle- and joint-related strains, soreness, and bruises.

Sombra Cool Pain Relief Cream

Amazon

This $24 topical cream offers relief while speeding muscle recovery thanks to its key ingredient, menthol, a counterirritant that creates a cooling sensation to soothe and distract from the pain. Dr. Deepti Agarwal, MD, previously explained to Shape that the ingredient “can decrease arterial blood flow and desensitize nerve endings.” If you prefer a warming sensation, try the brand’s alternative version that contains capsaicin to relieve pain..

Additionally, Sombra’s Cool Pain Relief Cream contains soothing aloe and green tea for anti-inflammatory benefits that can reduce swelling, irritation, and redness. While it’s a fast-acting treatment, this soothing relief only lasts temporarily; just be sure to apply it no more than four times daily, per the brand’s recommendation.

More than 1,000 Amazon shoppers give this pain relief cream their approval. “I have severe chronic pain and this helps take some of the edge off,” said a reviewer. A second shopper raved that it “really turns down the pain level,” while another person with arthritis added that they can now “walk pain-free.” A final customer shared that the effects are “almost instant” and they last for “several hours.”

Soothe your achy muscles and joints with Sombra’s Cool Pain Relief cream that’s $24 at Amazon. Shop more topical creams that provide targeted relief, below.

Mama Mio Lucky Legs Cooling Gel

Dermstore

Biofreeze Pain Relief Cream

Amazon

Blue Emu Pain Relief Cream

Amazon